Community Corner

St. Mary Groundbreaking Full of Blessings

Dozens of parishioners, church officials and village officials gathered Monday afternoon to break ground for St. Mary's new parish center.

Rockford Diocese Bishop Thomas G. Doran blessed the ground with prayers and holy water where St. Mary Catholic Church is building its new parish center at the church’s groundbreaking ceremony Monday.

Doran blessed the ground St. Mary was built on and dedicated the church back in 2001 so it was fitting that he return Monday as the church begins construction of it parish hall, Msgr. Steve Knox said.

“It is a great honor to have him here today for Part 2,” Knox said of the retired bishop.

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St. Mary, 10307 Dundee Road, is building a 32,567-square-foot parish center to the south and southeast side of the church. The center includes a 600-person parish center, a small chapel, 10 meeting rooms, staff office space, and a full-service kitchen, according to plans filed with the village.

The additional space will help St. Mary expand its ministries that serve the community as well as give parishioners much-needed space.

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“The parish is growing by leaps and bounds,” said the Rev. Scott Duvall, associate pastor. “We are overflowing at every Mass. We are literally piled up on each other. This will help us.”

Monday's ceremony under cloudy skies drew parishioners, church and village officials to the church, on Dundee Road. Light sprinkles fell and the wind blew cold but the weather held out for the brief ceremony.

Knox thanked parishioners who worked on the building committee; fundraising committee and others who helped bring the plan together. He said the new parish center would help “enliven our faith.”

Doran gave a prayer to bring the project to successful completion and keep those who are working on it safe. He then led the crowd in “The Lord’s Prayer.”

Mayor Charles Sass presented the church with a framed certificate from the village thanking it for its commitment to Huntley.

St. Mary is an integral part of the village as it continues its growth with Huntley. He thanked the church for its investment and called the groundbreaking momentous.

“Say some nice words for me,” Sass said to Knox in closing. “I need all the help I can get.”

Parishioners were happy and excited, cheering as dignitaries used gold plated shovels to move the dirt.

“Don’t stop, we’ve got more to go,” St. Mary parishioner Jack Dayon told the dignitaries who used gold-plated shovels to move the dirt.

Lamp Construction is building the new center. St. Mary officials expect the project will take 10 months to complete.


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